Lignocellulosic Fibers and Nanocellulose as Reinforcing Filler in Thermoplastic Composites

Abstract

Natural fibers have received considerable attention as a substitute for synthetic fiber reinforcements in thermoplastics. As replacements for conventional synthetic fibers like aramid and glass fibers, natural fibers are increasingly used for reinforcement in thermoplastics due to their low density, good thermal insulation and mechanical properties, reduced tool wear, unlimited availability, low price, and problem-free disposal. Natural fibers also offer economical and environmental advantages over traditional inorganic reinforcements and fillers. As a result of these advantages, natural fiber reinforced thermoplastic composites are gaining popularity in automotive, garden decking, fencing, railing, and non-structural building applications, such as exterior window and door profiles, siding. Another class of naturally-sourced reinforcements of recent interest is nanocellulose-based reinforcements.   This study provide a short review on developments in the area of cellulose based fibers and nanocellulose and their applications in cellulose fiber based industries such as wood-plastic composites (WPC).

Keywords

• Lignocellulosic fibers, Nanocellulose, Reinforcing lignocellulosic filler, Thermoplastic composite, Wood

LIGNOCELLULOSIC FIBERS AND NANOCELLULOSE AS REINFORCING FILLER IN THERMOPLASTIC COMPOSITES

Öz

Son yıllarda doğal liflerin termoplastik kompozitler içerisinde güçlendirici olarak kullanımı giderek artmaktadır. Aramid ve cam lifleri gibi sentetik güçlendiricilerle karşılaştırdığında doğal lifler düşük yoğunluğa sahip olmaları, iyi termal izolasyona ve mekanik özelliklere sahip olmaları, makineleri az aşındırmaları, yenilenebilir olmaları nedeniyle doğada sınırsız bulunmaları, ucuz olmaları ve geri dönüşüm ile tekrar kullanılabilmeleri gibi üstün avantajlarıyla termoplastik endüstrisinde kullanımı hızla artmaktadır. Bahsi geçen önemli avantajlarının bir sonucu olarak selüloz esaslı liflerin, otomobil endüstrisinde koltuk ve kapı iç akşamlarında, bahçe çitleri ile pencere kapı profilleri, havuz kenarları, üst geçitler ve kafeteryalarda döşeme malzemesi, dış cephe kaplaması gibi yapısal olmayan bina uygulamalarında kullanımları hızla artmaktadır. Son yıllarda doğal güçlendiriciler arasında yer alan nanoselüloz de giderek ilgi çekmekte ve ticarileştirilmesi üzerine önemli çalışmalar yapılmaktadır. Bu çalışmada ahşap plastik kompozit gibi selüloz içeren termoplastik kompozit ürünlerde kullanılan selüloz esaslı lifler ve nanoselüloz üzerine gelişmeler hakkında bilgi verişmiştir

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Selüloz esaslı lif, Nanoselüloz, Güçlendirici doğal lif, Termoplastik kompozit, odun

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